Life often overwhelms us. Burdens become too much to bear. In those times we tend to run to our “vices”, those things that
dull the pain for the moment, those things that take us away from reality. The problem is it never truly fixes anything and usually makes things worse. Our vices can be:
- A relationship
- A bottle or drug
- Controlling attitude
- Being busy
- TV or the internet
- Shopping
- Games
Anything that keeps us from dealing with reality. What would happen if we took this verse to heart?
“If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” 2 Chronicles 20:9
What if instead we ran to the presence of God and stood before Him and cried out to him. What if we called on his name?
- El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
- El Elyon (The Most High God)
- Adonai (Lord, Master)
- Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
- Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
- Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
- Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
- Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
- Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
- Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
- El Olam (The Everlasting God)
- Elohim (God)
- Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
- Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
- Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
The difference from being broken…running in fear…curled up like a baby…you name it…compared to being able to stand in the midst of our trials is who we run to. Do we falter and fall or do we stand firm and watch as the Lord delivers us? It is standing in God’s presence, in His promises, in His strength that we will truly overcome. He never loses, He is always victorious. Our victory comes when we stand in His presence.
